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Indian policemen and relatives carry the coffin of a policeman who was abducted and killed by suspected militants in Shopian district, about 52 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 21, 2018. Bodies of three policemen who were abducted in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir were found on Friday in an apple orchard, police said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Bodies of three policemen who were abducted in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir were found on Friday in an apple orchard, police said.

The policemen were abducted early Friday in Shopian district, about 52 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Police suspect militants behind the abductions and subsequent killings.

"Bodies of three policemen who according to their families were abducted early today have been found in an apple orchard," a police official posted in Shopian told Xinhua over telephone.

"The bodies were taken to district police lines here for wreath laying ceremony."

The policemen have been abducted from their respective residences. According to officials, the trio were engaged as Special Police Officers (SPOs) on a nominal honorarium compared to regular constables in the police force.

The move comes days after militants released audio messages and posters warning the policemen to quit jobs.

Last month, militants abducted three policemen and eight relatives of police personnel in retaliation to the detention of around a dozen family members of militants.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. However, of late Indian policemen have also been trained to fight them.